CR Silver Monarch
(Ben Rabba++/ x GF Silver Mystery by Ga'Zi)
breeder Georgia Cheer
May 15, 1986 - May 9, 2004

When he arrived, I saw in this foal (only my fourth ever), how uniquely lovely he was. This dark chocolate brown purebred Arabian foal (later gray) had exquisitely fine facial details, the most prominent – his large guppy-like eyes. Dark pools, an over-used description, yet befitting him.

What made my Sammy so special and different from all the others that I had bred is what I can only summate as his “sixth sense.” He could relay his emotions to me and I know he picked up my emotional signals. They say Arabian horses are this way – very intuitive – literally ‘tuned-in.

As far as quality – most every horse alive has some good qualities, and of course, faults. My Sammy included. His head could have been shorter in length and have a bit more of a dish – but then he wouldn’t look like the horse I’ve bred and loved!

Looking back on his early life, I should have tried harder to sell him to someone who would have stood him at stud and give him the opportunities that I could not. Instead, not wishing to lose him, I managed his stud career through other breeders via lease arrangements.

I had dreamed of sending Sammy to England to follow in his sire’s footprints. I even advertised him for lease in the British Arab Horse Society news with some genuine interest. I never gave up hope of sending him to England even up to this year. Thankfully, Sammy did spend six years in Virginia and three years in Canada, where he got many purebred foals and also some lovely Anglo-Arabs.

Sammy withstood many a painful experience in his life, but none more traumatic than his last year with several mysterious colics. Last February, he endured two back-to-back colic surgeries at Oregon State University. He survived both, amazing the attending vet with his “will to live and his remarkable good sense!” Her past experiences with Arabians were very different from what Sammy demonstrated

I strongly believe Sammy represented what a Crabbet Arab is most known for – extremely good temperament, kindness, loyalty and love. He gave love to all who knew him. He had a fan club of friends throughout his years. In that regard he was no different than his sire Ben Rabba. Ben Rabba exuded a charm and magnetism; these qualities drew you in – you wanted to know him. Sammy inherited this same inner karma, a powerful essence, and in his presence I felt peace, contentment and love. I felt safe. I felt ‘at home.’

Since his death (May 9, 2004) just two months ago, I’ve had one memorable dream. In it, I was riding Sammy. I remember looking out over his neck to see his very small forward pricked ears. I could distinctly see his flea bitten marks along his neck and the steely-gray and white strands of hair comprising his forelock and mane. So fine was his hair that when the wind lifted it, ever so softly would the hairs rise and fall. The ease and comfort of his gait, the security we each felt from one another’s touch – I can still feel even as I write this. I know not where we were going - I saw no scenery, I heard no sounds, all I saw and felt was Sammy. I will carry his presence with me each and every day. We travel together as we did in that dream.

Back to the Cheer Ranch story.

SIRED BY CR SILVER MONARCH

CR Monarchs Memory
The "best"daughter of CR Silver Monarch (bred by Georgia Cheer)

His best foal in my opinion is his bay 1994 daughter, CR Monarchs Memory (pictured above) out DZ Matushka by *Druzba).

This is CR Silver Empress (gray mare) in July 2004 photo taken by her then owner Jim Duckworth. She was bred by myself out of a Vaguely Noble daughter.